Georgetown: Guyana’s efforts to increase the usage of the Lesser Used Species (LUS) of timber locally were complimented by two international timber organisations. In a recent conversation between Amy Smith, manager, wood sector engagement of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and International Wood Products Association (IWPA), said emphasis was placed on the benefits of sourcing Lesser Used (Known) Species of timbers.When asked by IWPA why businesses should chose to invest in LUS, Smiths’ answer was simple. There are hundreds of species in the world with similar physical and mechanical properties as traditionally harvested species that have actual or potential commercial value and are categorised as LUS.
It was noted that this is good news for wood products companies, as it allows access to a variety of woods that offer similar aesthetic appeal and perform just as well as many species that are already highly sought after in the market place. Companies benefit financially too since the cost for LUS is relatively low given that they are under-utilised and abundant.
The Timber industry in Guyana is faced with a similar situation where Lesser Used Species are abundant and under-utilised whilst many of the more commercialised species are in high demand in the market place.
The WWF representative was then asked for her views from an environmental perspective as it relates to the benefits of sourcing Lesser Used Species. Her response was that companies that utilise LUS can feel good about protecting the environment because harvesting and sourcing a wider portfolio of species reduces pressure on species with high market demand. Fewer vulnerable and threatened species means higher biodiversity in forests. It also raises the value of the standing forest, which not only helps to keep it from being cleared and converted to other uses with fewer environmental values, but will also be crucial to meeting wood demand in the long term.
The discussion concludes that sourcing LUS with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification sustains ecological, carbon, nutrient and water cycles in forests and reduces the susceptibility of tree species to diseases. In order to achieve the environmental objectives of FSC certification, forest managers might have to reduce the volume of wood extracted from the forest each harvesting cycle if only high market value species are utilised, which in turn could reduce revenues in the short term. But using LUS can help managers to reach a certain threshold of wood extraction per acre that makes responsible forest management economically viable.
According to Amy Smith, the Global Forest & Trade Network (GFTN) is one of World Wildlife Fund’s initiatives to combat illegal logging and drive improvements in forest management while transforming the global marketplace into a force for saving the world’s valuable and threatened forests. GFTN works with more than 200 companies at all levels of the wood and paper supply chain in 25 countries, providing structured technical support in legal and responsible forestry and trade. One of the goals of GFTN is to enhance market uptake of LUS from credibly certified forests.
In Guyana, producers can choose to obtain Verification of Legal Origin certification from accredited organisations. Verification of Legal Origin (VLO) verifies that timber comes from a source that the harvester has a documented legal right to harvest, pursuant to the laws and regulations of the government of the jurisdiction. Suppliers of VLO timber must follow and maintain documented chain-of-custody systems.
To help buyers identify and locate viable alternatives to traditionally-used species, GFTN has published ‘A Guide to Lesser Known Tropical Timber Species’. The guide includes information on the key mechanical and physical properties and potential suitability of 75 LUS from Central and West Africa, Central and South America and Southeast Asia. It also shows the FSC availability of these LUS from GFTN producer participants and this is how WWF promotes the LUS.
In Guyana the Forest Product Development and Marketing Council (FPDMC) has published a similar hand book to that of the GFTN which includes information on the key mechanical and physical properties and potential end use applications of some of the Lesser Used Species in Guyana. This handbook has been widely distributed and can be obtained from the office of the FPDMC free of cost.
In Smith’s description of some of the Lesser Used Species that have been identified in the GFTN Guide as viable alternatives to species in high commercial demand she mentioned species that are comparable to Guyana’s Manni, Determa, Suya, Tauroniro, Dakama, Crabwood, Darina, Hububalli and Wadara. Each one of these species can be categorised as either high or medium density species and can be used in indoor and outdoor applications as is relevant.
For further information on the Lesser Used Species kindly contact the Forest Products Development and Marketing Council Guyana Inc. on telephone numbers – 592-223-5135 or email: info@fpdmcguy.org
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